About Crows Chase

A warm welcome to you from Crows Chase Cottage. My name is Lori Bowers, founder of Crows Chase Creations. I am a freelance writer, photographer, and artist. The story of how I found my way into self-employment and art in general begins with that short phrase that sends so many people in a new direction. Life happened. And it happened swiftly. Having spent several years in the academic field, a whirlwind of events led me back to my hometown. I found myself living in my parents' small rural cottage that I had inherited just two years prior. The property itself is just under an acre but it is joined to my grandparents'  farmstead that is now owned by family members. It is a magical property with abundant wildlife, a beautiful landscape, and numerous crows. The crows have always maintained a large presence around the property but after moving back I began to feed them, alongside the songbirds. It was not long after we officially named the property Crows Chase. 

So, being middle aged and settling into a new routine, the realization that I had to leave my career behind washed over me. There were few career opportunities in the small rural town I grew up in. After working temp jobs for a couple of years, a floral management position was offered to me and I happily accepted. Life happened again, surgery and an extensive months long recovery led me to resign my position. It was at that time I realized that self employment was my best option. Having been an amateur photographer, then working in a darkroom during college, I felt that route would be something I wished to explore professionally. I have always enjoyed experimenting with color contrast as well as the process of vignette and antiquing. However, my favorite photographs are of atmospheric fog heavy landscapes. I set up Crows Chase Photos on a business Facebook page but would eventually change the name to better fit my overall work.

It was only recently that I overcame decades of self doubt and began painting. I had dreamed of having the talent to paint since I was young but never dared to try. One day I found myself buying some artist acrylic paints and some brushes. Admittedly the first few paintings I created were rough but that did not deter me. I enjoyed the process and found it therapeutic. As the months passed, my work improved to the point that some people showed interest in purchasing them. I began searching for a way to sell my photos and paintings but was struggling. One day the opportunity appeared when my aunt told me about an artist collective gallery in a nearby town. I messaged their manager, met with them, and a week later my work was on display. 

So as I write this, it was never on my bingo card that my work would be hanging in a gallery and I would begin a blog. I have always written and have been lucky to have a few selections published in minor literary journals. But the story of my writing adventures will have to wait for another day. 

With so much beauty around me at Crows Chase and with lovely memories of my past travels, it is my hope to share some of my inspirations with you. Beauty can be found in the most unlikely places in this world. Never doubt yourself, create something you find pleasing, no matter what medium you choose. I believe that creating art, in whatever form, is therapy for our souls. Also, in creating something, you might be an inspiration for someone else that has suffered self doubt. Your one act of creating something lovely, even if you are never aware of it, could be that one spark for someone else who desperately needed that inspiration. Happy creating! With best regards, from the cottage at Crows Chase.